BANTUG LAKE RANCH

We recently spent a day with my son's classmates and their families at Bantug Lake Ranch. It was a farewell party for some since they just graduated from Grade 6. Others will transfer to other schools it seems. Bantug Lake Ranch is three kilometers away from Brgy. Granada and belong to Brgy. Alangilan already. I like the place since it has elements of nature that kids can enjoy such as horseback riding and boating. Entrance fee is P50 per person.

The Horse Bullring where you can ride a horse
for P50 for two rounds or P150 for 15 minutes

The ranch's horses

Swimming fee is P120

Kiddie's pool

Boating Lagoon - P50 for two rounds

Park area where you can rent a table for P200

Tables under the tree. Those who wants a table under a canopy, you can rent it at P500 or  P1,000  for 2 tables.

One thing I appreciate at Bantug Lake Ranch 
is their spacious shower room

You can get in touch with Batug Lake Ranch through these contacts details - Mobile: 0927-341-0134 Landline: (034) 213-1916 or Email them at bantuglakeranch@gmail.com. 

You can also check their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bantuglakeranch 

Address: Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City 

Lakawon Island Resort and Spa

My favorite island resort has recently changed management. It is now known as LAKAWON ISLAND RESORT AND SPA. For everybody's information, please find herewith the new contact numbers. Photo credit to Cadiz City Tourism Office.  

As of the moment, Entrance Fee is P100/person, Day cottage rental is P1,000, Roundtrip boat fare is P150/person, minimum of 10 pax per trip. However, there is a different boat rate for those who are less than 10 - 1-4 pax is P1,000,  5-7 pax is P1,200 and 8-10 pax is P1,500. Terminal Fee is P20/person. Corkage Fee is P50/pax.

No corkage fee for outside food at the moment because their restaurant is not operational yet. I was told they will charge corkage fee starting January 2016.

You may also check the FB page of Cadiz City Tourism Office for pictures of the developments in the island.

Raymen Beach Resort in Guimaras Island

Recently, I was assigned to assist students in their Guimaras trip. And, I couldn't resist documenting our travel from Negros to Guimaras Island since this is my first time to go to the main island. Going to Raymen Beach Resort from Negros takes 1 hour and 20 minutes fast ferry boat ride, 15 minutes boat ride from Iloilo City wharf and another 45 minutes land travel.

Raymen's information office and entry to the resort

hotel type accommodation

the covered walk going to the beach front

small canteen near the day cottages

day cottages that one can rent from 8am to 6pm

the infamous Alubihod Beach where three (3) resorts
are located including Raymen

my airconditioned room that cost P1,350 overnight

the resort's restaurant that serves delicious food

the billiard hall

the fan room cottages that can be rented overnight too

Raymen Beach Resort have this mini-Boracay feel. And wonders of wonders, it can accommodate big groups such as ours. The resort can book island hopping tours,snorkeling, jet ski and banana boat ride. 

For more information, you can check out their website: www.raymenresort.com or call 0918-5207271.

GUERRERO FARM AND NATURE PARK

Guerrero Farm and  Nature Park is a 30 hectare garden resort located in Brgy. Cabatangan, Talisay City. The place boasts of scenic views, beautiful gardens, cool environment and lots and lots of garden plants variety and a nursery for cacti and succulents. I love how they integrate gardening into the resort and sell garden plants at the same time.

It is our first time to go there and the road trip is quite an adventure. Upon reaching the "overflow", we got off from our jeepney and walk going up since the road is really steep almost like 90 degrees alignment.  

This is the way going up! Too steep for a jeepney full of people 
so we got off and walked! ^^

One of the several overnight cottages at the resort. 
This one cost P1,500/night

The big pool and the kiddie's pool.

Far right is a P500/day "day cottage".

Entry going to the pool area and the house 
is the resort's restaurant.

Entryway to the nursery where plants are being sold.

300 variety of cacti and succulents are available for sale.

The entrance fee to the resort is P70 per person inclusive of swimming fee. Rental of day cottages ranges from P500 to P1,000. Overnight stayers can choose cottages from P1,500 to P3,000 per night. Each cottage has working toilet and bath. 

The place is really great! It's like you have to pass by a whole lot of adventure first (especially for the first timers) before reaching heaven on earth.

For reservation, you can call (034) 434-4368.

MAMBUCAL RESORT

I've been to Mambucal Resort a countless time and I kind of taken the place for granted. However, there many new things up there so I guess it's really worth featuring them here. And, Mambucal is such a tradition for most of us Negrense so here it is.... 

Ishiwata Bathhouse built in 1927

Boating Lagoon, P30 for 30 minutes

one can take a dip in here for free

the now famous hot Sulfur spring dipping pool
temperature is at 36 degrees to 45 degrees centigrade
entrance fee is at P50 for adult and P20 for kids

the newly constructed Japanese hot spring pool,
warmer than the first dipping pool, 
entrance fee is P100 per person

the main swimming pool with areas for kids and adults

the infamous hot sulfur spring, no swimming allowed
heard one can cook an egg here ^^

the entry way going to the hot sulfur spring,
farther right is a small dipping pool for your tired feet 

the smaller swimming pool near the entrance

the view of the river

day cottages rental fee is at P300  

the camping ground

they used to sell plants and flowers at the resort's 
road side but now they were given a space near 
the main pool entrance to sell their produce

The resort is located at Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia. Entrance fee is at P30 per person, parking fee for cars and buses is P30 also. For more information about Mambukal Resort you may visit the website of the Province of Negros Occidental at http://mambukal.negros-occ.gov.ph.

LAKAWON ISLAND RESORT

Lakawon Island Resort & Spa is now under new management. Please refer your inquiries at this page  https://www.facebook.com/Lakawon-Island-Resorts-Spa

Lakawon Island Resort is an island located along the Guimaras Strait. It can be reach by boat for about 15 minutes from the port of Brgy. Cadiz Viejo, Cadiz City. I always loved to go there because of its crystal clear pristine blue waters. 

Cadiz Viejo baranggay hall and soon to be 

tourism center and waiting area

The port of Cadiz Viejo where one can get a boat going to Lakawon Island Resort. Roundtrip boat fare is at P600 (minimum rate) good for 4 passengers. Boats can ferry a maximum of 12 pax with an additional fare of P150 per pax. I'm just glad they built this port, you can't imagine what you have to go through when there was no port during low tide and choppy waters.

Day cottages at P500 to P1000

The famous crystalline, pristine blue waters 
and white sand beach

Overnight cottages with aircon good for 4 pax is at Php2,500. 
 Good for 8 pax is Php3,000.

the non-operational resort shop

The non-aircon cottage. Overnight rental fee 
good for 4 pax is Php1,500.

This cottage can accommodate a maximum of 
eight (8) pax. Overnight rental fee is Php1,800.

The beach with a hut, great if you don't want 
to stay under the sun while swimming.

Another shot of the day cottages

The village charges P20 per person as port entrance fee. If you brought your own transport service, parking fee is P35 paid to the owner of the land where cars can park. 

Entrance to the resort is P100 per person. Room reservation is a must for overnight stayers. For more information, reservation or inquiries call Lakawon office directly at (034) 4330808 or 0917-4095576.

P.S. For your trip, please call the Lakawaon Island Resort directly with the numbers listed above. I don't do bookings for them. Thanks!

PATA-AN MOUNTAIN RESORT

I'm lucky to finally reached the infamous Pata-an Mountain Resort. Located at the mountains of Ma-ao, Bago City, this year's (2013) company outing was held there and we had a blast taking pictures at the scenic waterfalls inside the resort. I am just in awe to discover that a small resort such as Pata-an have a waterfall and very accessible to resort goers. The place is like a mini-Mambucal. To locals, Mambucal is a big mountain resort in Negros Occidental with seven waterfalls to boast. 

the entrance to the resort

this is the view that greeted us in the 
morning of our overnight stay there

the view of the ice cold water 
swimming pool and overnight cottage

one of the day accommodations 
that one can rent at the resort

day cottages for rent at P500 

my kids enjoying the scenic waterfalls, 
not dangerous for kids since the  pool is shallow, 
just be careful not to slide though stones 
are slippery and there's mud all over

the resort's canteen

the overnight cottage where we slept in, it has an
amazing view of the resort and the surrounding areas

the pavillion that can be rented at P1,500 per day

the pathway going in and out of the resort
great landscape design

the resort sign with their contact numbers

Entrance fee for adult and kids is at P50 each. Swimming pool fee is at P50/person. Overnight cottage fee ranges from P1,200 for 4 pax to P2,200 for 10 pax. Public shower and toilet rooms are available all over the resort. The resort's commissary accepts cooking service with a fee. Hot water and ice cubes can be bought there also. The resort has competent staff and are readily available if you need their services. 

One thing I noticed though, being in a mountain and near to nature, the resort has no garbage segregation system nor policies on guest's garbage disposal activities except that oysters or talaba is not allowed. The place is clean though.

All in all, the resort is a great weekend get-away. I won't mind a second or more visit there. It's greatly refreshing just being there with all the greenery, fresh air, cool water and close to nature ambiance. 

To go there, one can take the Murcia route or the Ma-ao route. The Murcia route is more exciting, scenic,  a bit dangerous since there are areas that are steep but the travel is shorter if you're coming from Bacolod City. The Ma-ao route is a lot safer though especially if you have kids with you.

Enjoy!